Scoping Workshops

Credit: Noemi Merz / Ocean Image Bank

Coral conservation and restoration require coordinated research, shared knowledge and clear priorities.

Bringing experts together to shape the future of coral R&D

Identifying gaps, priorities and opportunities to save corals

CORDAP’s scoping workshops bring together scientific experts, practitioners and partners to explore key challenges, assess current knowledge and identify areas where research and development can help save the world’s corals. These events create space for experts to exchange knowledge, compare perspectives and define research priorities that can support practical progress.

By connecting global expertise, our workshops help ensure that CORDAP’s work remains informed by the latest science and aligned with real-world conservation and restoration needs.

Workshop areas and roadmaps

Key topics explored through CORDAP’s scoping work

Since 2023, CORDAP has organized scoping workshops across several important areas of coral research and development.

Global workshops and roadmaps

Shaping coral protection and restoration

The outputs from CORDAP’s scoping workshops help inform our research and development direction, highlighting areas that should be funded in the future.

The Technology Roadmaps created following the workshops present strategic recommendations and priority areas for coral conservation and restoration worldwide and help guide national, regional and international programs.

These resources are made available to the wider coral community, making workshop outcomes accessible beyond those involved.

Natural adaptation and assisted evolution of corals to climate change

Co-organized with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and hosted at KAUST, Saudi Arabia. Exploring how corals may adapt to changing conditions and how science can support resilience under climate pressure.

Exploring the frontier of coral aquaculture

Co-organized with KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative at Shushah Island, and hosted at KAUST, Saudi Arabia. Examining the opportunities, challenges and future directions of coral aquaculture as part of restoration and conservation efforts.

Cold-water coral restoration and conservation

Co-organized with REV Ocean and hosted at Engineerium, Norway, in 2024. Addressing the needs of cold-water coral ecosystems and identifying priorities for their conservation and restoration.

Managing the ecological risks of coral reef interventions

Co-organized with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). Exploring how coral restoration intervention approaches can be assessed, managed and applied responsibly.

Capacity development and leadership in the Global South

Co-organized with KAUST and hosted in Mombasa, Kenya, in 2024. Identifying needs and opportunities to strengthen coral conservation and restoration capacity across the Global South.

Coral diseases

Co-organized with KAUST, CORALIUM and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and hosted in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, in 2024. Exploring knowledge gaps, risks and research priorities related to coral disease and ecosystem health.

Land-based pollution and water quality

Co-organized with Cefas, the Nutrient Pollution Global Action Network and the Wildlife Conservation Society, and hosted in Fiji, in 2025. Discussing the actions needed to address land-based pollution and water quality issues in a way that contributes to effective coral restoration.

Engaging industry in coral restoration: a global landscape

Mapping the global industry landscape to identify businesses and technologies that could partner with the coral community to scale up, produce and implement affordable solutions for conservation and restoration.

Explore CORDAP’s research priorities

CORDAP’s scoping workshops bring experts together and translate scientific knowledge into Technology Roadmaps that can guide future research, investment and collaboration.

Explore the workshops, access their outputs and discover how CORDAP is helping shape a more coordinated and science-led response for coral ecosystems.